relay letter.

“The best things in life aren’t things, they’re people”

When asked what I want for my 20th birthday, I drew a blank. When making the transition from childhood to adulthood, you begin to realize that the relationships with the people asking you what you want are more valuable than anything that they could ever buy you. The importance of relationships is something recognized by the Relay for Life annually in mid-June.

Cancer has robbed years from many relationships. Personally, I have lost two grandparents who served as both guides and sources of strength. I’ve lost a relative whose smile had enough warmth to melt the sun. The list of victims unfortunately continues on. Just as cancer creates this great pain, it also demonstrates great perseverance.
There are first hand accounts that surround me on a daily basis. My mother, who exemplifies compassion, fought her own pre-cancer while being the primary caretaker of her terminally ill mother. She would later be the caretaker of my grandfather as he battled a malignant brain tumor.

However, my mother’s strength was tested regularly. Her ability to overcome everything in her path was no shock to me. A greater test soon took place. Ho could an adolescent embarking on the thick of her teenage years handle such a life altering crisis? This past year, it was proven that strength does not always come with experience. Ellen Gilroy is approaching her 16th birthday, and will be happy to put her 15th year behind her. Her mother died of cancer when she was just 8 years old. She did not sail through her younger years as I did with memories of hide and seek and pick up baseball games; rather she had a tumultuous childhood. She recently fought malignant melanoma of her own, which is medical terminology for really scary. While her peers were counting down the days until they could drive, she was faced with decisions about treatments and surgeries. Her combination of positivism and perseverance remains unmatched by most, especially those her age. At just 15, going on 16, she has developed maturity and an appreciation for life that defines a hero. I am proud to say I look up to her.

This year we remember those that we have lost, as we always do, but we focus heavily on the survival stories, particularly Ellen’s. I am calling on my Seton Hall family to help support our team this year. There are many ways you can donate. The walk takes place on June 15th and 16th.

If you are interested in joining the fight for a cure, please contact men.
Any donations of both money and time are appreciated.

-k.